the truth why john left zero is because he didnt like the direction jamie was putting the company in. he didnt like josiah and kyle federick on the team and it wasn't "zero" anymore.
I highly doubt this, first of all Kyle is on Mystery not Zero. As for Josiah...well that is a disappointment but he looks to be dressing and skating the part, it'll surely be less of a transition than Cole made.
Gipper is right Zero hasn't been Zero in years. I wouldn't necessarily say it was that early but I can see where he is coming from. For me ever since Chris Cole became a more of a contest skater who dresses in Monster gear from head to toe and he is supposed to be the face of Zero is when they stopped being what they once were, but it did start earlier I suppose. John knew where Zero was going, he just got a better opportunity on a what he saw as a sicker brand and took it I'm sure.
Honestly I think Jamie made a mistake letting Chris own a piece of Zero, he should've just let him leave and start his own brand, which would've failed most likely, or Chris would've foreseen that and stayed with Zero because it's what gave him his identity and the fame that followed, just being a talented skateborder doesn't mean much, and there have been many examples of that fact. I personally think Fallen gained back a lot of 'core' street credit after Cole left, and even though it may take some time and possibly another video to really show the true effect I do believe it's there.
People talk shit on Chief a bunch and I can even see where their criticism comes from but the fact is the guy brilliant, and no doubt is still one of the hardest working dudes in skateboarding. I don't know what's happened over the past few years, the whole Cole thing going down, it makes me feel like he felt vulnerable in some way because the direction of Zero and Mystery just haven't been as clear as they once were. In fact I feel like the direction of Mystery has always been sort of well...as mystery hahaha. I still think of them as important brand within the industry, and whether they're my favorites or not is irrelevant. I suppose I will always have a soft spot for Zero and Jamie Thomas just because of the influence they've had on skateboarding and on me.